Deport Egyptian extremist who called Brits 'monkeys', say Tories - as red-faced Keir Starmer says he was unaware of 'abhorrent' posts calling for 'death of Zionists'

The Conservative Party has demanded the UK government deport Alaa Abd El-Fattah, an Egyptian-British activist, following the emergence of a series of inflammatory and xenophobic social media posts. The posts, which include support for violence against Zionists and British police, have ignited a political firestorm amid growing concerns over the activist’s views.

Kemi Badenoch, the Tory leader, has called for El-Fattah’s citizenship to be revoked, describing his online comments as “abhorrent.” El-Fattah, who recently returned to the UK after spending more than a decade in Egyptian detention, has faced intense scrutiny since the posts came to light.

Return and Controversy

El-Fattah was released from Egyptian custody in September 2025, after years of detention, and arrived in London on Friday. His return was celebrated by his family and welcomed by government officials, including Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy and Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, who described his release as a “top priority” for the UK government.

However, the celebration was short-lived. Evidence of El-Fattah’s social media activity, circulating online, revealed posts advocating violence and expressing hostility towards Jews, Zionists, and British authorities. Among the most shocking messages was one stating, “I consider killing any colonialists and especially Zionists heroic, we need to kill more of them,” and another claiming, “There was no genocide against Jews by the Nazis – after all, many Jews are left.”

He also wrote, “Police are not human, they don’t have rights, we should just kill them all,” and during the 2011 London riots, he posted: “Go burn the city or Downing Street or hunt police you fools.”

Backlash and Political Fallout

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak faced criticism after initially expressing “delight” at El-Fattah’s return, a stance many viewed as tone-deaf given the activist’s social media history. Sunak was compelled to row back, clarifying that he was unaware of the posts at the time. The opposition seized the opportunity to condemn what they called “dangerous complacency.”

The Foreign Office issued a statement condemning El-Fattah’s tweets, calling them “abhorrent” and reaffirming that he remains a British citizen. The government also reiterated its long-standing efforts to secure his release and reunite him with his family.

Conservative figures, including Kemi Badenoch and Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick, have called for El-Fattah’s citizenship to be revoked and for him to be deported to Egypt or another country. Jenrick, speaking to the BBC, said, “He should never have been granted citizenship in 2021, and now we must act to revoke it.”

Concerns Over Online Extremism

The revelations have prompted anger from Jewish community leaders and human rights advocates. The Board of Deputies of British Jews expressed alarm over El-Fattah’s online history, urging the government to investigate whether he still holds the views expressed publicly. They warned that such rhetoric “poses a threat to community safety” and called for urgent action.

El-Fattah, 44, wrote most of the posts between 2010 and 2011; some have since been deleted. His comments include calls for violence, denial of the Holocaust, and inflammatory remarks during the London riots.

A Divisive Figure

El-Fattah’s case underscores the complex debates surrounding citizenship, free speech, and national security. While many see him as a political prisoner and a symbol of human rights struggle, critics argue that his online activity reveals dangerous extremist views incompatible with UK values.

The government’s response is likely to intensify as opposition parties push for clarity on whether El-Fattah still holds these views and what steps will be taken to address his social media history. Meanwhile, the controversy raises broader questions about the vetting process for naturalized citizens and the limits of free expression in the digital age.